Sports Nutrition and Performance
Fueling performance goes beyond carbohydrate quantity. Carbohydrate quality also influences how energy is delivered and used during exercise. Rapidly available carbohydrates provide glucose quickly, whereas slowly digested carbohydrates such as isomaltulose provide a more gradual and sustained supply. This slow-release profile makes isomaltulose particularly relevant for endurance sports and prolonged exercise, where sustained carbohydrate availability is important.
At a glance
- Carbohydrate quality influences energy availability and metabolism during exercise
- Isomaltulose provides a slow and sustained release of glucose
- Its lower insulin response is associated with greater fat oxidation during exercise
- Human studies show that the metabolic benefits of isomaltulose during endurance exercise are achieved while maintaining exercise performance
- In carbohydrate-electrolyte beverages, isomaltulose can support fluid retention and steadier hydration
Explore further:
Sustained energy for endurance
Sustained energy for endurance requires carbohydrate availability over prolonged periods of exercise. Isomaltulose releases glucose more gradually than rapidly available carbohydrates, providing a sustained supply of carbohydrate energy and a more stable blood glucose profile during prolonged activity.
Human with isomaltulose have shown that this sustained energy profile is achieved while exercise performance compared with rapidly available carbohydrates was maintained.
Fat oxidation for endurance
Hydration and fluid balance
Hydration and fluid balance during exercise can be influenced by the type of carbohydrate used in carbohydrate-electrolyte beverages.
Controlled human studies show that beverages containing isomaltulose can support greater fluid retention and steadier hydration compared with water or rapidly available carbohydrates, including lower urine output and better maintenance of plasma volume. During exercise and heat exposure, isomaltulose-containing beverages have also been associated with maintained thermoregulation and lower cardiovascular strain, including a lower heart rate
Conclusion
Isomaltulose is a slow-release carbohydrate that provides sustained carbohydrate energy for sports nutrition and endurance exercise. Compared with rapidly available carbohydrates, its lower insulin response is associated with greater fat oxidation and a more balanced use of energy substrate, while exercise performance is maintained.
In carbohydrate-electrolyte beverages, isomaltulose can also support fluid retention and steadier hydration during and after exercise. Together, these properties make isomaltulose relevant for endurance nutrition strategies focused on sustained energy, fuel utilization, and hydration.
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References
Achten J, Jentjens RL, Brouns F et al. (2007) Exogenous oxidation of isomaltulose is lower than that of sucrose during exercise in men. Journal of Nutrition 137(5):1143-1148. doi:10.1093/jn/137.5.1143.
Amano T, Sugiyama Y, Okumura J et al. (2019) Effects of isomaltulose ingestion on postexercise hydration state and heat loss responses in young men. Experimental Physiology 104(10):1494-1504. doi:10.1113/EP087843.
Amano T, Watanabe D, Otsuka J et al. (2022) Comparison of hydration efficacy of carbohydrate-electrolyte beverages containing isomaltulose versus sucrose. Physiology & Behavior 249:113770. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113770.
König D, Zdzieblik D, Holz A et al. (2016) Substrate utilization and cycling performance following Palatinose™ ingestion: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Nutrients 8(7):390. doi:10.3390/nu8070390. Onuma N, Shindo D, Matsuo E et al. (2023) Pre-exercise isomaltulose intake affects carbohydrate oxidation reduction during endurance exercise and maximal power output in the subsequent Wingate test. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation 15(1):89. doi:10.1186/s13102-023-00698-y
Onuma N, Shindo D, Matsuo E et al. (2023) Pre-exercise isomaltulose intake affects carbohydrate oxidation reduction during endurance exercise and maximal power output in the subsequent Wingate test. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation 15(1):89. doi:10.1186/s13102-023-00698-y.